Predictive value of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal swab PCR assay for MRSA infection in critically ill pediatric patients.

The MRSA-NS-PCR has a poor PPV but a high NPV for MRSA infection in PICU patients when the incidence of MRSA infection is low. Creation of protocols to guide antimicrobial selection based on MRSA-NS-PCR results may lead to improved antimicrobial stewardship and significant risk reduction.